Means for cleaning contact lenses or the like

ABSTRACT

A CONTACT LENS HOLDER HOLDS CONTACT LENSES SUSPENDED WITHIN A CLEANING SOLUTION BEING AGITATED BY A MOTOR DRIVEN AGITATOR WITHIN A CLEANING CONTAINER. THE LENS HOLDDER ALSO FITS INTERCHANGEABLY WITH A SOAKING CONTAINER. THE   UNIT IS COMPACT, SIMPLE, LOW COST AND OF A CONSTRUCTION WHICH AVOIDS LIQUID LEAKAGE PROBLEMS.

Oct. 26, 197] H, SCHOLLMA|ER ETAL 3,614,959

MEANS FOR CLEANING CONTACT LENSES OR THE LIKE Filed March 24, 1969 3Sheets-Shoot 1 FIG.I

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i I as as H63 25 f an 5 2 as I i f INVENTORS EDGAR a. scuoLumen l noamma. DEWAR 1 J GERALD 015cm ATTYS.

wUCL 2 1971 E. H. SCHOLLMAIER ETAL 3,614,959

MEANS FOR CLEANING CONTACT LENSES OR TI'II'].IJIKE.

Filed March 24, 1969 3 Shoots-Sheet 2 33 I; 'h f FIGS 23 as as 83 wmvsmons 9| EDGAR H. SCHOLLMAIER NORMAN R. DEWAR 87 GERALD nccm AT TYS.

Oct. 26,197] SCHOLLMAIER EI'AL 3,614,959

MEANS FOR CLEANING CONTACT LENSES OR THE LIKE Filed March 24, 1969 3Sh0ets-Sheet .5

INVENTORS EDGAR H. SCHOLLMAIER NORMAN R. DEWAR. GERALD HECHT ATTYS.

. nited tates atent 3,614,959 Patented Oct. 26, 1971 US. Cl. 134-117 7Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A contact lens holder holds contactlenses suspended within a cleaning solution being agitated by a motordriven agitator within a cleaning container. The lens hold or also fitsinterchangeably with a soaking container. The unit is compact, simple,low cost and of a construction which avoids liquid leakage problems.

This invention relates to a contact lens cleaning unit and, moreparticularly, to such a unit having a motor driven agitator for washingthe lenses with a cleaning solution and to a soaking kit for soaking andstoring the lenses after washing.

Commercially available contact lens cleaning units require that theperson manually agitate the cleaning solution to obtain the necessarywashing of the lenses. The;

cleaning solution is normally a soap or detergent, although i it may bea germicidal solution. In any event, to obtain; the intimate washingnecessary for removal of foreigni material from the lenses requiresmanual operations which may be quite time consuming and tiring with theresult that persons tire before a sufficiently good job of washing orcleaning of the lenses is accomplished.

With the present invention, an intimate washing of very small, thincontact lenses by the cleaning solution is achieved by a motor drivenagitation of the cleaning solution while the lenses are held in positionfor intimate washing without being scratched or otherwise damaged. Alsoof importance is a cleaning unit which will not spill or leak thecleaning solution and is constructed without the use of expensivewaterproof seals. Another important consideration for a commerciallypractical unit is that it be small, lightweight and low cost. To allowthe contact lens wearer to maintain the lenses moist and in a soakingsolution, it is also desirable to provide a contact lens storage unitwhich is usable with the lens holder of the lens cleaning unit,permitting cleaning and storage of the lens without tactile contact.

The motor driven contact lens cleaning unit comprises a container havingan opening in a hollow chamber for receiving a cleansing liquid therein.A lens holder preferably including a pair of perforated baskets issuspended from the lens holder. During cleansing, a cap means coverssaid baskets and a motor drive means is provided to mechanically agitatethe liquid in the container. A soaking container having a furtherchamber may be provided for receiving the lens holder and the lenses andfor soaking the latter. The lens holder is engaged by and supported onthe soaking chamber during soaking.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a convenient,compact and easy to use motor driven contact lens cleaning unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a soaking kit which isreadily usable with a portion of the lens cleaning unit to soak thelenses.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description from the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a lens cleaning unit embodying the featuresof the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the unit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a soaking kit;

FIG. 4 is an exploded sectional view showing a lid which is usable witheither a soaking container or a lens cleaning container;

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a contact lens cleaning unit;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the inventionshowing a nested cleaning chamber, soaking chamber and lid;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the cleaning unit of FIG. 6adapted for cleaning an artificial eye;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of a lens holder;

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of a lid; and

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a turnable cap for the lid of FIG. 9.

Very generally, as shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration,the invention is embodied in a cleaning unit 11 having a motor drivenagitator 13 for agitating a cleaning solution disposed within a chamber14 of a container 15 to scrub and wash foreign mater from contact lenseswithout otherwise scratching or damaging the same. The very thin andquite small contact lenses are held suspended within the cleansingsolution and protected against undue movement, preventing scratching orotherwise damaging thereof, by a pair of lens holders 17 in the form ofperforated baskets 19 which project into the cleansing fluid disposed inthe hollow chamber 14 of the container 15. To facilitate placing thecontact lenses in position for washing or a removal or inspectionthereof, the lens holding baskets 19 are accessible from the exterior ofthe contact lens cleaning unit 11 upon removal of caps 21 which coverthe access openings 23 at the tops of the baskets. Preferably, the lensholding baskets 19 are suspended from openings in a lens holding disc orlid 25 for the open end of the container 15. To facilitate transfer ofthe lenses after washing to a soaking unit 27 (FIG. 3) with a minimum oftactile handling of the lenses, the lens holding lid 25 also isconstructed for suitable attachment to a soaking kit container 29holding a soaking solution such as water or a germicidal solution.

Referring now with greater detail to the preferred embodiment of theinvention illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, an electric motor 31 is housedwithin a base or housing 33 of generally rectangular and box-shapedconfiguration. The housing may be quite small, e.g., 5 inches long, 2inches in height and 3 inches in width, and is adapted to be placed on asuitable support or table. An electrical conductor 35 is attached to themotor and a suitable onoff switch 37 is provided on the housing toselectively control energization of the electric motor. As best seen inFIG. 2, the electrical motor is positioned in the housing with itsoutput shaft 39 upstanding for coupling to the agitator 13 which isdisposed within the container 15 mounted on a top wall 41 of thehousing.

As the cleaning unit may be placed on a table, cabinet or otherfurniture piece, it is of importance that there be no leaking of thecleaning solution or the spilling thereof. To these ends, the container15 is separable from the housing 33 and may be filled at a remote andsafe location and then placed in position on the housing. It ispreferred that the container have an imperforate, solid bottom wall 43without a protruding shaft or mechanical coupling through it which wouldhave to be sealed. Waterproof seals and/or bearings for the agitator areexpensive and subject to failing.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the driving and couplingbetween the motor shaft 39 and the agitator 13 is through a magneticcoupling device which includes a driving magnet 45 fixed to the end ofthe motor output shaft 39 and a driven magnet 47 connected to orcomprising the agitator. As illustrated, magnets 45, 47 may be annularin shape, and the driven magnet may be fixed to the bottom side of theagitator 13. When the motor 31 is energized, the respective annularmagnets 45, 47 will by means of the magnetic attraction therebetween beheld in a coupled relationship whereby rotation of the motor shaft 39and driving magnet 45 causes rotation of the driven magnet 47 and theagitator 13 and results in the agitation of a cleaning solution in thechamber 14 of the container 15.

To position the container 15 and the agitator 13 in aligned and drivingrelationship to the motor 31 and driving magnet 45, a locator 49 (FIG.2) is provided on the housing 33 for positional engagement with thecontainer. In this instance, the locator is in the form of a disc fixedto and projecting above the top wall 41 of the housing. The preferreddisc is formed of a plastic material which will not interfere with themagnet coupling between the driving magnet and driven magnet.Cooperating with the locator disc is a groove or seat 51 of circularshape formed in the bottom wall 43 of the container. The circular discand seat are complementary in size and depth, and when locating thecontainer in position, the perimeter 53 of the container bottom wallsrests on the housing top Wall 41. The locator disc is disposed coaxiallywith the axis of the motor shaft 39 and the driving magnet 45 andlikewise the seat 51 in the container is also disposed coaxially withthe axis of rotation of the driven magnet and the agitator 13. Thus,when the container is seated over the locator disc, the respectiveannular driving and driven magnets are aligned coaxially with the axisof rotation of the driving motor and the agitator. The locator disc 49also completely seals the motor from above so that no direct access tothe electrical drive system is possible. This is a safety feature toprevent electrical short circuit should accidental spillage of thecleaning solution occur.

A low cost and simple mounting means for supporting the agitator 13 forrotational movement is provided in the form of an upstanding post 55(FIG. 2) fixed to the bottom container wall 43 and a post receivingsocket 57 formed in the agitator. The top end of the post 55 is bulletshaped, that is, tapered to a rounded nose to provide a bearing surface,and fits into the upper end of the socket 57 which is correspondinglytapered to provide a loose, spaced fit on the tip of the post. Both thepost 55 and the cylindrical portion of the agitator in which the socket57 is formed are made of a molded plastic having a low frictioncharacteristic. The rounded hearing contact between the agitator and thepost allows the agitator to turn easily and to center itself on the post55 during its rotational movement. An annular groove in the bottom wallof the agitator contains the annular driven magnet 47. The top of theagitator 13 is formed with four equally spaced agitator blades 61 whichproject upwardly from a top surface 63 of the agitator body. Each of thefour agitator blades are generally pointed at their radially outer ends,and have a generally scalloped relationship with adjacent blades whichprovides a four pointed star appearance to the agitator when viewed fromabove.

The container 15 is preferably formed by molding a plastic materialwhich is transparent, lightweight and resistant to the cleaningsolution. Preferably, the container 15 is formed in the shape of acylindrical dish or cup having a cylindrical upstanding wall 65integrally attached to the bottom wall 43. A suitable size of containermeasures 2 /2 inches in diameter and 1 /2 inches in height. To assureturbulence for a good intimate cleaning and washing of the lenses, theinterior side of the circular wall of the container is provided with aseries of vanes 67 to cause increased turbulence in the fluid being agiv4 and extend upwardly from the bottom wall 43 to an inclined top wall69, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. The top of the container is open andthereat the container wall is formed with a reduced cross section tofunction as a sealing flange 71 for sealing fit and interconnection withthe lid 25.

To obtain the desired concentration and at least a minimum level ofcleaning solution for assuring that the lenses within the baskets 19will be immersed, an indicator or indicia means in the form of anarcuate line 72 is provided on the exterior of the transparent containerwall 65. Thus, the user will fill the container at least to this line 72and, when the lid 25 is attached, the lenses in the baskets will beimmersed for washing both sides of the lenses.

The lens holding lid or disc 25 serves as a waterproof lid or cover forthe open upper end of the cleaning container 15, when attached thereto,and also serves as a lid or cover for the open mouth of the soakingcontainer 29 (FIGS. 3 and 4) when attached thereto. The lid in thisinstance is quite large and permits easy filling of either the soakingcontainer 29 or the washing container 15. Also, the lid serves as aholder for the lens baskets and permits transfer of the lenses from thecleaning solution container to the soaking container without contact bythe hands. The preferred lid is dish-shaped and molded from a flexibleplastic material. The flexible plastic allows portions of the lid to beflexed and forced into a sealed gripping engagement with the containerflange 71 and yet be readily peeled therefrom to expose the interior ofthe chamber. In this instance, the lid seals with the respectivecontainers 15 and 29 by means of an annular sealing groove 75 formed inthe underside of the lid adjacent the outer peripheral edge thereof.

2 When the sealing flange 71 of the washing container 15 is projectedinto the sealing groove 75, there is provided a waterproof seal againstthe loss of liquid from the chamber during the washing operation. Toassist in peeling the lid, and outer rim wall 77 on the lid is formedwith a reduced cross section in the downward direction thereby reducingits stiffness. The dish-shaped configuration for the lid results from anannular inclined wall 79 extending from the top rim wall 81 for thecover to a generally circular lower wall 83 in which are formed circularopenings 85 through which project the baskets 19.

The illustrated baskets 19 are formed of a molded flexible plastic andhave inner dimensions which will permit insertion of the contact lenstherein and holds the same in position to allow the cleaning fluid toflow through the basket and have intimate washing contact with the lens.As best seen in FIG. 8, the baskets 19 have a lower hemispherical shapedportion formed by a series of spaced ribs 87 joined in a rounded latticeand between the ribs are openings which allow the fluid to flow over andbeneath the lens positioned in the interior of the basket. Theillustrated baskets have an upper cylindrical portion 89 integrallyattached to the hemispherical, ribbed portion. A circular groove 91 isformed in the outside wall of this cylindrical portion and has a snapfit relationship with the edge of the opening 85 in the circular lidwall 83 whereby the basket is suspended in this lid opening and has awaterproof sealed relationship thereto. As an alternative to theseparately formed baskets, it is possible to mold the baskets integrallywith the lid and thereby assure the same waterproof connectiontherebetween.

The top of the cylindrical portion 89 of each lens holder basket 19projects above the plane of the circular lid wall 83 with the accessopening 23 disposed above the latter and providing access to theinterior of each basket whereby lenses may be inserted or removed.During either a washing or soaking operation, it is preferred to coverthe access openings 23 by the caps 21 which respectively have indicia Land R thereon indicating that the left lens is beneath the L cap andthat the right lens is beneath the R cap. The preferred caps havegenerally cylindrically shaped, molded, plastic bodies with an outer,flat circular surface from which depends an outer flange 93 (FIG. 4)spaced by an annular groove 95 from an inner circular projection or stop97. The cap is attached to the basket by pushing the cap on the top ofthe basket and inserting the top of the basket into the annular sealinggroove 95.

To prevent upward movement of the lenses within the baskets 17 topositions above the bottom surface of the lid and thereby out ofintimate contact with the cleaning solution on upper sides of the lens,the stop 97 on the cap projects downwardly into the basket to a positionsubstantially coplanar with the underside of the lid circular wall 83.The upper peripheral edges of the caps may be provided with a tab orshoulder whereby the caps may be gripped or peeled from the holders topermit access to the interior of the baskets.

The illustrated soaking container is an open topped dish-shapedcontainer 29, preferably formed from a transparent plastic material,having a bottom wall 101 (FIG. 4) integrally joined to an upstandingcircular Wall 103. The circular wall 103 has a diameter and thickness toproject its upper edge into sealing relationship with the groove 75 inthe lid 25 when the lid 25 is placed on the container 29. A suitableindicator or indicia means 105 is provided on the exterior of thecircular wall 103 (FIG. 3) to aid in filling the container 29 to thedesired level.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5 wherein abattery holder 109 is attached to the base 33 and contains batterieswhich provide the electrical power for driving an electrical motor whichis magnetically coupled to the agitator 13. Except for the battery powersource and its connection to an electric motor, the cleaning unit shownin FIG. 5 is identical to that described above and shown in FIGS. 1 and2.

As illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a soaking containermay be seated, as for storing, on a cleaning container. In thisembodiment, a large circular cap 111 covers both lens holding baskets113. An annular peripheral rib 115 on the cap 111 snap fits into agroove 117 in a lid 119. The lens holder or lid 119 functions in amanner substantially similar to that described above for the lid 25. Inlieu of the sealing groove 75 formed in the lid 25, the lid 119 isprovided with a pair of sealing surfaces 121 and 123 for sealing againsta top wall and an interior cylindrical wall in either a soakingcontainer 125 or cleaning container 126. More specifically, the cleaningcontainer 126 has an upper rim wall 127 for abutting against the lidsealing wall 121 and has an annular rim wall 129 for abutting in sealingengagement with the annular Wall 123 on the lid 119. The cleaningcontainer 126 is generally identical in construction and usage to thecontainer 15 described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4.The container 126 embodies a generally cylindrical agitator mountingpost 130 which projects through an agitator 131 to receive a cap 133which holds the agitator against axial sliding off the mounting post.The agitator 131 includes an annular shaped magnet for magnetic couplingto a driving magnet in the housing (not shown), as described herein.

The soaking container 125 is shown nested on the cleaning container andis held thereon by its lower flange 135 fitted against the cleaningcontainer walls 129 and 127. In this instance, a generally cylindricalwall 137 for the container 125 bounds and is integrally connected to itscircular bottom wall 139 which has an annular groove or channel 140extending downwardly sufficiently to permit the lens baskets 113 to beinserted therein. The groove 140 is defined by a wall 141 which isspaced from and disposed beneath the baskets and holds the soakingsolution which flows through the openings in the baskets to contact thelenses. When the rib 115 on the cap 111 is fitted into the groove 117 inthe lid 119, the soaking solution is sealed from movement through thebaskets in case the soaking container is tipped over. The lid 119 isused with either the cleaning container 126 or with the soakingcontainer 125 much in the manner previously described except that withremoval of the single cap 111 both of the baskets 113 are exposed.

While the invention has been described herein as in connection with thecleaning of contact lenses, it is also possible by slight adaptation ofthe holder basket to receive and clean artificial eyes. In thisinstance, the artificial eye is disposed in a basket 113a (FIG. 7)similar to the basket 113 in FIG. 6 and is carried by a lens holder orlid 119a which is generally similar to the lid 119 illustrated in FIG.6. However, the basket 113a is much larger in size and only a singlebasket is provided. The basket 113a and artificial eye are shown inconnection with a soaking unit 125a which can be generally similar tothe soaking container 125 described above in connection with FIG. 6.Although not shown, it is to be understood that the cleaning cartridge,agitator and motor drive may be also similar to those hereinbeforedescribed.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 9, l0 and 11, a container having a motor driven agitator may beprovided with a holder including a lid (FIG. 11) in which may be mounteda turnable cap 151 (FIGS. 9 and 10) having a circular access opening 153which may be turned into an aligned position over a right or left lensbasket 154 or 155 to permit a contact lens to be inserted or removedfrom the aligned lens holding basket. When the cap 151 is turned to aposition in which its access opening 153 is intermediate the two lensholding baskets 154 and 155, portions of an imperforate wall 157 of thecap cover both of the lens baskets and seal the same against a loss ofthe cleaning solution therefrom.

As best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, the turnable cap 151 is generallycircular in shape and is provided with an upstanding centrally locatedrib 159 which is adapted to be grasped between a thumb and forefingerwhen turning the cap about an axis through the center of the lid 150.The cap is generally disc shaped and made of a molded plastic such asnylon. A peripheral rim 161 for the cap 151 is seated in an annulargroove 163 in the lid 150 for turning about an axis through the centerof the lid. The access opening 153 in the cap is of the same size aseach of the openings for the baskets 154 and 155, and it is located atthe same radial distance from the center of the lid as are therespective lens holding baskets.

It is preferred that the turning movement of the cap 151 be limited to180 and that a turning movement in one direction be required to alignits access opening 153 over the lens basket 154 and a turning in theopposite direction be required to align the access opening 153 inposition over the other lens holding basket 155. To these ends, theunderside of the cap is formed with an upwardly extending groove 165which extends for and projects into a thickened bead 167 on the cap. Thegroove 165 receives an upstanding stop pin 171 which is integrallymolded on the lid 150. In this instance, the stop pin 171 is a small,generally cylindrical protuberance with a flat top, the pin being sizedto slide freely in the groove 165 until it abuts an end wall for thegroove. The end walls of the groove 165 are located at positionssubstantially beneath the ends of the upstanding rib 159. In thisinstance, the stop pin is located at a position 90 from each of the lensholding baskets 154 and 155 and the access opening in the cap is located90 from the end walls of the groove which receives the stop pin. Thus, a90 cap movement from a centered covering position will uncover one lensholding basket and 180 turning in the reverse direction will uncover theother basket. The lid 150 is preferably formed of a flexible, plasticmaterial, such as polyethylene, which allows the lid to be bent as itsouter, inclined rim wall 173 is lifted from engagement with thecontainer 15 to expose its hollow interior. The lens holding baskets 154and 155 are integrally molded and attached to a central, fiat wall 176for the lid. The cap receiving groove 163 is annular in shape and isdisposed within an interior inclined side wall 175 and opens inwardly ina plane immediately above the central wall 176 from which the basketsare suspended. The cap receiving groove 163 receives the peripheraledges of the cap which is formed of a suitable cross-sectional thicknessand diameter to snap or slide within the groove and to remain capturedtherein while still having a free and easy sliding movement relative toa stationary lid.

As an aid to understanding the invention, a brief description of amanner of operation will be described in connection with the embodimentof FIGS. l-5. The agitator 13, if removed from the cleaning container,is placed on the upstanding shaft 55. The cleaning chamber is filledwith water to the indicia level indicated by the line 72 and severaldrops of cleaning solution are added to provide the proper concentrationand liquid level for cleaning the lenses in the baskets 17. The lid orlens holder disc is secured on the top of the filled cleaning chamber.The caps 21 on the lens basket 19 are removed to expose the accessopenings to the interior of the lens baskets. The right contact lens isplaced in a basket and then covered by the cap 21 with the letter Rthereon, and the left contact lens is placed in the other basket andcovered by the cap 21 having the letter L thereon.

In the preferred unit, the electrical conductor 35 is connected to a 110volt AC current source and the switch 37 is moved to the on position.The motor 31 energizes and turns its shaft 39 and driving magnet 45which turns the driven magnet 47 and causes the agitator 13 to turnwithin the chamber. The cleaning solution become turbulent as a resultof rotation with the agitator and the movement of the cleaning solutionrelative to the fixed vanes 67 in the chamber. The cleaning solutionmoves through the openings in the baskets 19 to wash both sides of thecontact lens. Usually one minute of washing is sufficient to clean thelenses.

After washing, the lens holder lid having the lenses in the baskets isremoved from the cleaning chamber 15 and the lenses are rinsed undercool tap water. A soaking solution is added to the soaking container 29to the level indicated on it by the indicia 105. The lid is then snappedon the top soaking chamber 29 to allow the lenses to soak, which isoften an overnight procedure. The used cleaning solution is discardedand the cleaning chamber and agitator are rinsed in cold tap water andare allowed to air dry.

Thus, it will be seen from the foregoing that there is provided aninexpensive and simple unit which is easy to operate and not subject toleaking of fluid. The lens may be transferred and used in the sameholder or lid without a contact of the lens by the hands.

While a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, it will beunderstood that there is no intent to limit the invention by suchdisclosure but, rather, it is intended to cover all modifications andalternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An assembly for use in caring for contact lens comprising a containerhaving an opening and a hollow chamber for receiving a liquid therein, alid for covering said container opening, a mechanical agitator supportedfor agitating movement within said container, perforated basketssuspended from a surface of said lid for holding said lenses in positionfor contact with said liquid, and cap means covering said baskets.

2. An assembly in accordance with claim 1 including another chamber forholding another liquid for soaking said contact lens and means on saidanother container for sealing engagement with said lid whereby said lidmay be used interchangeably with said containers.

3. A cleaning unit for an article comprising a base, a

motor drive means in said base, a container mounted on said basedefining a hollow chamber for receiving a cleaning solution, saidcontainer having an upper opening leading to said chamber, a mechanicalagitator rotatably mounted in said container and driven by said motordrive means for agitating said liquid in said chamber, a holder for saidarticle having means for releasably connecting said holder on saidcontainer and in position covering said container opening, said holderhaving an access opening on the exterior side thereof permitting accessto the article held thereby, and cap means for covering said accessopening during a cleaning operation.

4. A cleaning unit in accordance with claim 3 in which said holderincludes perforated baskets suspended from said holder at spacedpositions thereon, and in which said cap means comprises a cap having anaccess opening therein is rotatably mounted for movement between accesspositions in which said access opening in said cap is aligned with oneof said baskets to permit removal or placement of a lens in said alignedbasket and a covering position in which imperforate portions of said capcover said access openings.

5. A contact lens cleaning unit comprising a base, motor means in saidbase, a container mounted on said base defining a hollow chamber forreceiving a cleaning solution, a mechanical agitator supported withinsaid container, means for coupling said motor means and said agitatorfor rotation thereof, a lens holder for receiving and supporting acontact lens, openings in said lens holder for passage of the cleaningsolution through said lens holder and into contact with a lens disposedtherein, means for supporting said holder within said container, saidlens holder including a lid and perforated baskets suspended from saidlid, said lens holder having access openings therein providing access tosaid lens in said perforated baskets, and a cap means positionable onsaid lid in a first position to cover said openings and positionable ina second position to allow access to said lenses through said openingsfrom the outside of said chamber.

6. A contact lens cleaning unit in accordance with claim 5 in which saidcontainer is a substantially cylindrical body having an open top and inwhich indicia means is provided on said cylindrical to indicate adesired liquid evel.

7. A contact lens cleaning unit comprising a base, motor means in saidbase, a container mounted on said base defining a hollow chamber forreceiving a cleaning solution, a mechanical agitator supported withinsaid container, means for coupling said motor means and said agitatorfor rotation thereof, a lens holder for receiving and supporting acontact lens, openings in said lens holder for passage of the cleaningsolution through said lens holder and into contact with a lens disposedtherein, means for supporting said holder within said container, meansproviding a separate soaking chamber for holding a soaking liquid andfor receiving said lens holder, and means on said soaking chamber meansfor engaging and supporting the lens holder to permit said lenses to besoaked in said soaking liquid.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,132,657 5/1964 Ciccone 134-1883,168,294 2/1965 Hasumura 259108 3,265,369 8/1966 Harrison 134-188 X3,279,482 10/1966 Hungerford et al. 2065 A 3,421,528 l/1969 Gomez et al.134l88 DAVE W. AROLA, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 2065; 259-108UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3.514359 Dated Qctnbfi: 25 191 lnv nt fl Edgar H. Schollmaier et al Itis certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, line 39, "and" should be -an- Column 7, line 30, "become"should be -becomes- Claim 6, Column 8, line 43, after "cylindrical"insert -body Signed and sealed this 25th day of A il 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDL'JARD PLFLETCHER, JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting OfficerCommissioner of Patents 'OHM PC -1050 {TO-691 USCOMM-DC GOING-P69 h usGOVERNMENT PRmTING OFFICE law 0-366-33l

